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Virtual Programming

Best Practices

Program for YOUR community
PLAN ahead
Programs that fill a NEED
ADAPT current programs
Maintain your ROUTINE
Be AUTHENTIC
Check your COPYRIGHTS

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What Does Your Community Need?

NEW CHALLENGES

COVID-19 related information

Government announcements
Health practices
Access to safe resources

Homeschooling parents

Cover all areas of education
New ideas to teach the same old thing
Coping with negative emotions
Tier information to be adaptable and accessible
Make it FUN!!!

CONSISTENT CHALLENGES

Access to Media

Put titles in our patrons’ hands
Stimulate interest in new titles

Childhood Literacy

Make reading accessible for all ages and abilities
Excite interest in all forms of reading
Make reading FUN!!!

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PLAN AHEAD

It gives you room for moments of genius!

Themes for consistency
Create a routine
Cover all areas of identified need throughout the week
Design accessible programs for different ages and abilities
Appeal to all five senses
Be prepared to adapt for emergencies and inspiration
Research copyrights for material

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IDEAS THAT FILL A NEED

HOW WILL YOUR PROGRAM HELP YOUR COMMUNITY?
WHO IS YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE?
WHAT SKILLS OR INFORMATION WILL THEY NEED TO ACCESS YOUR PROGRAM?
IS IT A PROGRAM THAT YOU OR YOUR STAFF WILL ENJOY CREATING?
CAN YOU ADAPT A CURRENT PROGRAM FOR ONLINE USE?

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Mr. Rogers knew what he was doing!

Be Authentic

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Planning Social Media Posts

Keep your community engaged with the library without losing your mind.

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Libraries and Social Media

Posting regularly keeps the library in people’s minds.
Advertises library resources and programs.
Reaches patrons who may not be able to make it into the actual building.
Shows off all the fun stuff you’re doing.
Gives the library a personality.

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Why Your Library Should Be Online Now

Offers digital resources and materials even when the building is closed.
Provides a place for local and accurate information.
Online programs bring comfort and familiarity.
Shows that the library is more than its physical space.
Explores potential program accessibility for the future.

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Where to Start

Pick a platform and form a team.
Create a posting schedule and experiment with times.
Don’t overwhelm your patrons. If you post too much, your content gets buried.
Pick a theme for a week and build around it. Mix different types of media.

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Schedule Posts at the Beginning of the Week

Pros

Saves time and you can focus on resharing and interactions.
Ensures your posts are scheduled far enough part and reaches your audience at the right times.
You can preview your posts and videos, and you aren’t scrambling to gather supplies at the last minute.

Cons

Things can change quickly. Be prepared to pull or alter a post.
You may forget about your posts and won’t notice any activity on your page.
Could make your library seem out of touch. Make sure you stay on top of trends.

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Get the most out of your online programming

Encourage interaction with your posts. People love to show off what they’ve been doing or the chance to get a reward.
Think about the community. What can they access? Would they have the supplies at home?
Respond to comments. It makes it feel like a conversation, and it bumps your post back up to the top of the news feed.

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Looking for Inspiration

Websites

Instagram
5 Minute Librarian: http://www.5minlib.com/
Programming Librarian: https://programminglibrarian.org/
Holiday Insight: http://www.holidayinsights.com/

Facebook Groups

Teen Services Underground
Storytime Underground
Future Ready Librarians
Programming Librarian Interest Group

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Other Resources

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Don’t overwhelm yourself! Remember that every library is different, and the important thing is that you’re helping your patrons the best way you know how.

“First, when you look at what other librarians share, don’t compare yourself to

them. Sure, they are doing wonderful work, but they are only sharing their

successes. They experience failures, too, just like the rest of us. Yes, they may be

offering their students an experience that you don’t, but you are providing your

patrons with programs and events they aren’t. Like everyone else, you have

only twenty-four hours in your day. You can’t possibly implement every program,

idea, and lesson you hear about. No one can, not even the RSLs you admire.”

-Margaret Sullivan, Your PLN: Source of Inspiration or Thief of Joy?

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Online Storytime

How to adapt your storytime for viewing online

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The Bright Side

What are the advantages to online storytimes?

Can provide access to more people
Can stay connected with your community
Learn new skills (technical and otherwise)
Find creative ways to use technology
May have more time to plan and prep than usual
Provide comfort and familiarity to kids

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Choosing the Right Titles

Can I use these stories to have relevant conversations?

*Where The Wild Things Are : feeling “wild” being stuck at home

*The Great Indoors / Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess : indoor activities

*When Sadness is At Your Door : addressing difficult emotions

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Choosing the Right Titles

Will these stories “play” well online?
Are YOU excited to read this story right now? Is it relevant or special to YOU in some way during this time of life?
Is this interesting to hear even when you can’t always see the pictures/touch the book?
Is this fast paced, rhythmic, or otherwise engaging for young kids?

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Finding the Right Words

Do we talk about the global pandemic to our kids watching?

Talk about how you’re doing (in an age appropriate way) without inciting panic
Provide tangible solutions and personal stories
Normalize emotions : it’s okay to feel sad/angry/confused
Express your feelings but always provide hope
If YOU’RE struggling with this, imagine being 4 years old

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Cranking up the FUN Volume

Average watch time per Facebook video is 10 seconds- What makes you stop scrolling and pay attention?
Make your space visually interesting and exciting
Incorporate props, stuffed animals, instruments, costumes
Model getting creative with household items to inspire kids!

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Cont’d

Make sure you add in movement or songs! Familiar songs that most kids know are great, but you can teach new songs too
Keep up the pace! Attention spans are shorter on screen
Ask questions and make occasional comments. Imagine what a child might be thinking or saying at home

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Get Inspired!

Fun DIY photo backgrounds:

https://www.photogbooth.com/photo-booth-backdrop-ideas

Make your own instruments:

https://www.learningliftoff.com/make-homemade-music-with-these-6-diy-instruments/

Easy homemade puppets:

https://craftsbyamanda.com/kids-puppets/

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Tips for Quality

How can I get the best possible lighting and sound?
Always do a “test” shot and review
Am I all the way in the shot? Can you see my book? Am I speaking clearly? Do I look terrified?
Consider framing (vertical vs. wide)
One long take vs. editing segments

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iMovie Tips

Free on an iPhone
Add text, transitions, and goofy sound effects
Allows you to film in segments
User friendly
Easy to add multiple clips and put them in sequence (like a slideshow)
Export video and post on social media
How to get started: iMovie Tutorial

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Tips for Being Engaging Onscreen

Warm up your voice and body before starting
Hook them!
Be your authentic self
Be passionate and interested in what you’re sharing

Use gesturing, smile, incorporate movement
Imagine the camera is a kid you love
Keep practicing
5...4...3...2...1...I’m excited!

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